Call for Papers
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In recent decades, the history of emotions has grown into a lively and dynamic field. Historians have been especially interested in how emotional norms were shaped and enforced in past societies, and in how historical actors understood the emotions medically, theologically and philosophically. However, although there has been increasing interest in this area, more work is needed to explore how emotions were experienced, and how emotional ‘norms’ functioned in people’s everyday lives. Our understanding of historical connections between bodies and emotions also requires further development. How exactly were emotions thought to be embodied, and how might this thinking manifest in people’s social and affective lives? How were everyday activities and relationships experienced emotionally? These are two of the many questions which this one-day graduate conference seeks to explore.
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This conference spans the years 1500 to 1800, and is seeking 15-minute papers from scholars working on any part of the globe. It is particularly interested in papers with a non-British focus, but those working on Britain are also warmly invited to apply. The conference will be composed of three broad panels: The Emotional Everyday, Spaces of Emotion, and Health, Body and Mind. However, scholars do not have to apply for a specific panel. Possible topics for papers include, but are not limited to:
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Emotional dimensions of everyday physical activities, such as eating, labouring, exercising, sleeping, cooking, dressing and sex
Emotional dimensions of health-related experiences, such as illness, injury, disability, childbirth, death and intoxication
The influence of gender, age, race, religion and social status on embodied or emotional experience
The emotional significance of different early modern spaces, for example the bedchamber, the city, the sea, landscapes and ‘foreign’ places
Medical understandings of how emotions were embodied, and lay perceptions of these understandings
On the day, we are delighted to be joined by our key-note speakers Professor Karen Harvey and Dr Sally Holloway. This conference is generously supported by the Royal Historical Society and The Cambridge University Researcher Development Fund.
After over a year of online conferences, we are excited to announce that this will be an in-person event (subject to COVID easing). Us and many other postgraduates and ECRs have really missed the socialising and networking opportunities which come from meeting others in-person, and there will be lunch, dinner and drinks options for those interested. A recording of the conference will be made available through our website.
Abstracts of up to 250 words should be submitted to emotionandembodiment@gmail.com by 4th August 2021. Please include a bio of up to 100 words. We intend to create a Special Issue from this conference. If you are interested in this opportunity, please mention this in your application. This event is free for all speakers and attendees. We especially welcome applications from groups underrepresented in academia. Follow us on Twitter @emotionsbodies for further updates.
